That’s the message a prominent Washington, D.C. lobbyist told the New York Times today when asked what he’s telling his clients about how to influence the members of the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, or “supercommittee.”

Rep. Larry Bucshon (R-Ind.) held a townhall meeting in his district on Monday and had some heated discussions with his constituents. When asked if Washington would ever get rid of lobbyists: “’No,’ Bucshon answered, saying that lobbyists represented regular people and were not giving money to congressional members.”

The relationship between a member of Congress and their constituents should be similar to a golfer and their caddie. The caddie is there to help navigate them around the course, offer local insight, and help the golfer understand the conditions on the ground, so that they can respond accordingly. But when the caddie isn't even along for the ride, and is made a far-away spectator, his/her concerns are ignored.